LECTURES ON NATURAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHILOSOPHY, Considered in Its Present State of Improvement. Describing, in a Familiar and Easy Manner, the Principal Phenomena of Nature; and Shewing, That They All Co-Operate in Displaying the Goodness, Wisdom, and Power of God.
Book Details + Condition: Published by J. Dillon (London). Scarce Second Edition from 1799. Complete in 5 volumes; 8vo (8½" x 5¼"). Frontispiece in first volume; final volume contains 43 engraved folding plates. Early half calf and marbled boards with labels on spines. First published in 1794, this second edition is revised and expanded with 4 additional plates. George Adams was the mathematical and scientific instrument maker to George III. He "wrote largely on the use of mathematical instruments, and his books on that subject were highly valued. In many of his published works he combined a religious with a scientific aim, and 'applied all his knowledge,' says the 'Gentleman's Magazine,' 'to the best of purposes - to combat the growing errors of materialism, infidelity, and anarchy.'” The beautifully engraved plates depict his many instruments, including telescopes, globes, and related devices. A solid copy of a very scarce set. Condition per volume:
- Volume I: 592 pp. Wear to leather boards, with rubbed edges and corners; boards have been re-attached (old repair); spine faded; bookplate on inside front board; 10-20 pp of faded pencil markings
- Volume II: 576 pp. Wear to leather boards, with rubbed edges and corners; boards have been re-attached (old repair); spine label faded; bookplate on inside front board; a few pages with faded pencil markings
- Volume III: 580 pp. Wear to leather boards, with rubbed edges and corners; boards have been re-attached (old repair); spine label faded; bookplate on inside front board; a few pages with faded pencil markings
- Volume IV: 576 pp. Wear to leather boards, with rubbed edges and corners; boards have been re-attached (old repair); spine label faded; bookplate on inside front board; text is free of markings
- Volume V: 592 pp. Wear to leather boards, with rubbed edges and corners; boards have been re-attached (old repair); spine label faded; bookplate on inside front board; pencil markings on ~2-3 pages
